Comedian Nazareth Says 'God Created Humor' – and that's Why Clean Comedy Resonates
One of the nation’s top clean comedians says family-friendly comedy is having a moment because it offers something refreshingly different in a dark culture – and because, he says, it’s exactly what people need.
Nazareth was recently named the 2026 Comedian of the Year by Drybar Comedy and the Angel Guild, but he has spent more than 30 years entertaining audiences through nationwide tours, appearances on Comedy Central, NBC and "The 700 Club," and performances in mega churches, military bases and prisons.
When Nazareth got his start in the 1990s, he said, comedians often relied on shock value to separate themselves from the competition.
“But today, there's no envelope to push,” Nazareth told Christian Headlines, adding that with social media, “everything is out there.”
“So some comedians are finding out: Wait a minute, I need to start working clean, because I'll get more work,” Nazareth said. “If you do clean [comedy], corporate America will hire you – and corporate pays a lot more than clubs.”
But Nazareth believes the growing appeal of clean comedy is about more than business opportunities – it’s also a matter of the heart. He says he uses comedy to “heal people” and to turn their “hearts to Christ.”
“God created humor. Satan perverted it, but God created humor,” Nazareth said. “And when He created humor, He made our bodies secrete certain hormones that will make us feel good, and sometimes it's healing to our bodies.”
Vulgar comedy, he said, cannot offer the same kind of healing or lasting joy.
“When you're laughing at something that is not consistent with your values, you're not gonna laugh in a way that is healing – that [will help] your body relax and you can enjoy it, because you're like, ‘I shouldn't be laughing at this,’” he said. “... So, my goal with my show is to get people to relax, laugh and then at the end I get to share the good news of Jesus Christ.”
Raised in Kuwait in a Greek Orthodox family, Nazareth and his family immigrated to the United States, where he worked multiple jobs before deciding, after completing a marathon, to pursue the one calling he believed he would love even if he were never paid: making people laugh. That decision led him to a Los Angeles open-mic night, after which his comedy career quickly took off. Then, after surrendering his life to Christ, he shifted his focus to using his comedy as a ministry.
He believes comedy can reach people who might never set foot in a church or listen to a sermon.
“They lower their guard, they kind of feel like, ‘Hey, I know this guy, I trust this guy’ – and so when, at the end, when I share my testimony and share what God has done in my life, it hits home with him, it becomes real.
“But it’s the Holy Spirit who does the work. It's not me.”
Watch the full interview with Nazareth here.
Photo Credit: ©Nazareth
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published July 29, 2026.
